Agenda - 03-13-2012 - 5m - Laserfiche WebLink

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. 11 5. To adjourn in an emergency. A decision by the presiding officer under any of the first three powers listed above may be appealed to the board upon motion of any member. Such a motion is in order immediately after a decision under those powers is announced and at no other time. The member making the motion need not be recognized by the presiding officer, and the motion, if timely made, may not be ruled out of order. Comment:The chair normally presides at board meetings.In his or her absence,the vice-chair, if there is one,presides.If there is no vice-chair, or if both the chair and vice-chair are absent, the board typically selects a temporary presiding officer. The board may choose whether the chair always votes or votes only to break a tie. Someone who is temporarily presiding in the chair's place is still a full member of the board and thus entitled to make motions and to vote. The chair or anyone presiding in the chair's place has substantial procedural powers, but those powers are not absolute.Under this rule and Rule 15, any board member is entitled to make a motion to appeal to the other members concerning the presiding officer's decisions on motions; decorum in debate and most other procedural matters. There are two exceptions to this right of appeal.A chair or other presiding officer may adjourn without the board's vote or appeal in an emergency, and he or she may also call a brief recess without a vote at any time, when necessary to "clear the air" and thus reduce friction among the members. Rule 12. Presiding Officer when the Chair is in Active Debate. If the chair wishes to become actively engaged in debate on a particular proposal, he or she shall designate another board member to preside. The chair shall resume the duty to preside as soon as action on the matter is concluded. Comment Good leadership depends,to a certain extent,on not taking sides during a debate.On a small board this may not always be feasible or desirable;yet an unfair advantage accrues to the side whose advocate controls access to the floor.This rule is designed to ensure evenhanded treatment to both sides during a heated debate.Ordinarily the chair should call on the vice-chair to preside if he or she finds it necessary to step aside. Rule 13. Action by the Board. The board shall proceed by motion. Any member, including the chair, may make a motion. If two or more Commissioners speak at the same time to make a motion (or second), the chair shall determine, for purposes of recording action for the minutes, which name the clerk shall use. Comment: The chair may make motions, or the chair may invite another member to make a motion by saying"The chair will entertain a motion that..." Rule 14. Second Required. A motion shall require a second, followed by discussion and/or comments and a vote. Comment The philosophy underlying the regturement of a second is that if a proposal is not supported by at least two members,it is not worth the time it would take to consider the matter.A second does not necessardy mean that a member agrees with the motion,but that the member wishes the matter open to discussion.A second allows the matter to be discussed fiurtlier. Rule 15. One Motion at a Time. A member may make only one motion at a time.